Angkor Thom Map

Description: This map shows rivers, temples, restrooms, points of interest, and sightseeings in Angkor Thom.

Description: This map shows roads, temples, restrooms, buildings, and sightseeings in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Description: This map shows roads, trails, lakes, temples, monuments, parking lots, shops, churches, points of interest, tourist attractions, and sightseeings in Angkor Area.

Angkor Thom, which means "Great City" in Khmer, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, this magnificent urban complex covers an area of 9 square kilometers in present-day Cambodia, near Siem Reap. The city was built following a precise geometric plan and was surrounded by a square wall 8 meters high and 12 kilometers in length, further protected by a 100-meter wide moat.

The city's most distinctive architectural features are its five monumental gates, one at each cardinal point and an additional gate on the east side leading to the Royal Palace. Each gate is crowned with four giant faces of Avalokiteshvara and decorated with elephants and mythical figures. The most commonly used entrance today is the South Gate, which has been extensively restored and provides the main access point for modern visitors.

At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon Temple, the state temple of Jayavarman VII. This Buddhist temple is renowned for its 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 enormous smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, which some scholars believe may be portraits of the king himself. The temple's walls feature an extensive collection of bas-reliefs depicting historical events, mythological stories, and scenes from daily life in the Angkor period.

Other significant structures within Angkor Thom include the Baphuon, a three-tiered temple mountain built in the mid-11th century and dedicated to Hinduism, the Phimeanakas, a three-tiered pyramid temple associated with the royal palace area, and the famous Terrace of the Elephants, a 350-meter-long platform used for public ceremonies. The Terrace of the Leper King, featuring intricate carvings of demons, nagas, and other mythological beings, stands at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants.

Angkor Thom remained the capital of the Khmer Empire until its abandonment in the 17th century. Despite centuries of neglect and the encroachment of jungle vegetation, many of its structures have survived. The city's design demonstrates the Khmer's sophisticated understanding of urban planning, architecture, and hydraulic engineering. Today, Angkor Thom is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and receives hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who come to marvel at its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Sights and Temples in Angkor Thom